Groups offer support for heroin victims

Back in 2009, as the Ridley Park Police Department was beginning to roll out its “Heroin Alert” program for school students and parent groups, then-Police Chief Tom Byrne was struck by what he saw as a lack of interest from parents.

Young adults were dying from overdoses and homeowners were being ripped off by addicts looking for money or items to sell to support their habits.

“We couldn’t even fill the community room,” which at full capacity holds about 100 people, Byrne recalled, referring to their first meeting hosted for parents and borough residents.

“We had about 20 people, if that. I couldn’t believe it. We were even giving away gift certificates to restaurants as an incentive to show up,” the retiree said.

In terms of parental apathy, heroin abuse and heroin-related crime, little has changed in the last five years, though Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan remains hopeful that outreach programs like the one being offered through the Delaware County Heroin Task Force will help turn the tide.

Last year, the county’s Heroin Task Force presented its program, “Realities of Prescription Drugs and Heroin Abuse” to about 1,500 students at Drexel Hill and Beverly Hills middle schools in the Upper Darby School District.

Their message to children, he said, “When it comes to heroin, you are either addicted or dead.”

The program, which includes real-life testimonials, was also presented to parents in the Upper Darby and Penn-Delco school districts.

“By the end of 2014, I would like to try to get the program to at least hit every school district,” for students as well as parents, Whelan said.

In an attempt to increase turnout at parent forums this year, Whelan said the outreach program is being tweaked, and will expand to include other “hot button” issues like Internet safety and bullying.

“Once we are in the schools, we have a captive audience. We are trying ways to get more parents interested,” Whelan said.

“I really think there are a lot of parents in denial … We want to make sure parents are aware that heroin is an issue in all 15 school districts in Delaware County.”

Though Delaware County Medical Examiner Dr. Fredric N. Hellman said the incidents of heroin-related deaths have plateaued, Whelan said, “I haven’t seen any evidence that usage is leveling off.”

Additionally, the HTF will continue to hold public safety walks to raise awareness. Last year, members visited neighborhoods in Upper Darby, Haverford, Marple, Yeadon and Springfield.

For more information on the Delaware County Heroin Task Force, visits its website at www.co.delaware.pa.us, click on Heroin Task Force under News and Events. The site provides information on prevention, treatment and recovery, with brochures available for download and key contacts for treatment programs.

NOPE

There’s much to be learned about heroin, and shared, according to Aston resident Tricia Stouch, who lost her 19-year-old daughter Pamela to a heroin overdose on March 27, 2010.

Before she learned about and became a member of the Delaware County Heroin Task Force, Stouch said she felt alone.

“The Heroin Task Force helped me because it validated that there was a problem,” Stouch said. “It was a relief that I wasn’t alone.”

In addition to her role with the HTF, Stouch spearheaded an Alateen and an adult Al-Anon program, which meets Thursdays at 7 p.m. at St. Timothy’s Church in Aston.

On Jan. 30, she and fellow coordinator Beth Mingey, director of prevention/education services for Holcomb Behavioral Health in Media, will hold the first two NOPE (Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education) Task Force presentations for students at Sun Valley High School, at 7:30 a.m. and again at 11:30 a.m. A separate parent presentation will be held that night at 7 at Sun Valley High School.

Founded in Palm Beach County, Fla., in 2004, NOPE is a prevention program offered to middle, high school and college students. Presentations are both blunt and powerful, said Stouch.

Stouch will be speaking during the presentation, using her daughter’s own words — taken from journal entries Pamela had written while she was in rehab in 2009.

“Why do I use?” Pamela Stouch wrote in a piece dated Oct. 1, 2009. “I used because it gave me a sense of belonging, somewhere I fit in, and something I was part of. After my freshman year in high school, things changed a lot with my group of friends, who I was very close to for years. I felt like I was no longer a part of that group & wanted so desperately to fit in with them again.”

In another piece, Pamela writes to her addiction.

“You have taken so much from me. First, my self respect,” she wrote. “But I’m stronger now. I’m over your bad habits ... I’ll never let you enter my body again, never let you take over my mind. I’m taking myself back and gaining my life back.

“You were the worst friend I’ve ever had. But I’ll never forget you or regret you cause really the jokes on you.”

It was during Pamela’s stay in rehab when Tricia decided to get help for herself — by attending an Al-Anon meeting in Aston.

Stouch said it’s important for addicts and families in crisis to know there is help.

For more information on this program, call Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems Prevention/Education Department in Media, at 484-444-0412.

Kacie’s Cause

For Lynne Massi of Chester County, joining Kacie’s Cause was a godsend. Kacie’s Cause was founded by Andrew Rumford, whose 23-year-old daughter Kacie fatally overdosed on heroin at home on March 12, 2013.

Massi attended the group’s first meeting in May and was “overwhelmed” by the turnout. The next day, she was a core member of the group, which is comprised of mostly businesspersons and concerned parents.

It’s through her association with Kacie’s Cause that Massi, a former Upper Darby resident, spearheaded efforts to change Pennsylvania’s drug enforcement laws to provide immunity to drug users who call for help when a person overdoses — in honor of her late nephew 27-year-David John Massi II of Upper Chichester.

“We do a lot of good things,” Massi said of the group, comprised of businesspersons and concerned parents.

In addition to holding town hall meetings, the group provides education regarding signs and symptoms of use, as well as law and policy.

By special invitation, Kacie’s Cause will host a town hall at 10:30 a.m. March 15 at the Upper Chichester Community Center, 1950 Market St., Linwood.

“Hopefully, this will open the door for us to help families in Delaware County the way we have being helping them in Chester County,” Massi said.

Looking ahead, Massi said Kacie’s Cause is interested in expanding its outreach into Chester County schools, similar to the program presented by the Delaware County Heroin Task Force.

For more information, e-mail Massi at lynne@kaciescause.com.

Heroin Alert

Funded through The Taylor Foundation, the “Heroin Alert” program by Robert Frazer and James Nasella, both Ridley Park police corporals, continues to be presented to students in the Ridley and Interboro school districts.

In December, Frazier and Nasella delivered their message to between 350 and 400 high school students, according to Frazier.

Since 2009, the pair has been offering pointers to recognize the signs of abuse, as well as warn the students about things like the pureness of the drug. Mostly, they focus on the devastating effects the drug can have on them, their families and the community.

Nasella, who lost his 23-year-old niece to heroin in 2007, knows all too well the toll of the drug.

“The reception from the students is always great,” said Frazier. Not only do the students ask questions at the end of the presentation, but in previous years Frazier said he’s gotten follow-up phone calls from students looking for help.

“It’s out there,” Frazier said, referring to heroin as well as help.

On Feb. 27, Frazier said the borough will again host a drug awareness program for parents titled, “Don’t Be an Ostrich.” The location for that event has not yet been determined.

For more information, contact the Ridley Park Police Department at 610-362-7401.